All the benefits of grouping (Krause and Ruxton 2002)
Costs shared with relatives (Hamilton 1964)
Higher rank in groups (Poisbleau et al. 2006, Scheiber et al. 2013)
June 20, 2017
Living in families is a good idea
Goose families are variable
Multi-year bonds (Warren et al. 1993)
Larger spp. stay together longer (Johnson and Raveling 1988, Warren et al. 1993, Jónsson and Afton 2008)
Populations may segregate in winter (Vangilder and Smith 1985)
We want to know
Wintering site ~ family size
Family size ~ time ↓
Family size ~ flock size ↓
\(p(split)\) ~ flight activity ↑
Eurasian whitefronts
Hypothesis 1
Hamilton, W. 1964. The genetical evolution of social behaviour. i. - Journal of Theoretical Biology 7: 1–16.
Johnson, J. C. and Raveling, D. G. 1988. Weak family associations in cackling geese during winter: Effects of body size and food resources on goose social organization. - Waterfowl in winter: 71–89.
Jónsson, J. E. and Afton, A. D. 2008. Lesser Snow geese and Ross’s geese form mixed flocks during winter but differ in family maintenance and social status. - The Wilson Journal of Ornithology 120: 725–731.
Krause, J. and Ruxton, G. D. 2002. Living in groups. - Oxford University Press.
Poisbleau, M. et al. 2006. Social dominance correlates and family status in wintering dark-bellied brent geese, Branta bernicla bernicla. - Animal Behaviour 71: 1351–1358.
Vangilder, L. D. and Smith, L. M. 1985. Differential distribution of wintering brant by necklace type. - The Auk 102: 645–647.
Warren, S. M. et al. 1993. Extended parent-offspring relationships in Greenland White-fronted geese (Anser albifrons flavirostris). - The Auk 110: 145–148.